The Holy City Jerusalem - Revelation 21:9-21

Revelation 21:9-21 NASB
The New Jerusalem
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

One of the seven angels then offers to take John to see the Bride. This might represent the sevenfold Spirit of God. John is then taken in the Spirit to see the New Jerusalem descending from heaven and from God. Since the city is from God, it portrays that inheritance that is the glory of God, with a radiance that is the perfect image of God. It is our inheritance.

The city is likened into a square, a cube in fact. The Holy of Holies in the temple was a cube. It was the dwelling place of God, as will the New Jerusalem.

This city represents those redeemed in Christ, a process over time that brought mankind into the presence of God. It includes Israel and the Apostles as chief actors in the unfolding of this passion of Christ which results in the salvation of man. We are told the foundation of the new city rests on the Apostles. Though they appeared after the twelve tribes of Israel were established, they are the bedrock of the church based on the Cornerstone that is Christ. The Jews are redeemed after the church is established. They act as the gateways to the city. It is through them we all enter.

We see the number 144 appear. The last time it seemed to refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. Again it appears to be associated with the twelve tribes. Like the twelve stones on the breast of the chief priest of Israel, the wall foundations are likewise adorned.

The gates of the city may speak of Israel's role in the administration of God's kingdom. The nations will come to Jerusalem to give glory to God. Like the parable of the pearl in which a man finds a wondrous pearl which is worth more than all he has, we are reminded of its great value.

It allows entrance to the kingdom of God. It is offered at no cost to us, yet purchased at a great price. God sees it as a good deal.

Ezra 9:9
For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 54:12-14
“Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.
“ All your sons will be taught of the Lord;
And the well- being of your sons will be great.
“In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you.

Ezekiel 48:30-35
The City Gates
“These are the exits of the city:on the north side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north:the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. On the east side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates:the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. On the south side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, shall be three gates:the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. On the west side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates:the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘ The Lord is there. ’”